Pau Gasol spent more than six seasons with the Lakers. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

The Bulls are working to finalize a deal that would land them the free agent forward, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was still being discussed.

While a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers had been discussed, the person said it would be a straight signing. Yet even after Gasol tweeted Saturday that he would be joining the Bulls, the final terms of his deal were not yet agreed upon. The Bulls went to work trying to clear cap space that could be used on Gasol, as they agreed to trade center Greg Smith to the Dallas Mavericks. Smith is owed $948,163 on the last year of his deal next season.

What's more, a person with knowledge of the situation said the Bulls are expected to waive forward Carlos Boozer ($16.8 million in the final year of his deal next season) by way of their amnesty clause if they can't find a sign-and-trade partner by the July 16 deadline by which the amnesty must be used. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

The amnesty approach would take Boozer's salary off the Bulls' salary cap sheet and allow them to pay Gasol a salary more commiserate with what he was seeking. Boozer could sign with any other team besides the Bulls if he's waived with the amnesty, and Chicago would still be responsible for paying the difference between what he's owed and what his new team commits.

The Gasol move ostensibly took the Bulls out of the running for free agent small forward Carmelo Anthony, who agreed to return to the New York Knicks on Saturday. Gasol had been heavily courted during free agency, with the Bulls, Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs among the suitors.

Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists a game last season but has dealt with injuries that have cost him 55 games last year.